Owner of Denbighshire outdoor activity centre 'back to square one' after arson attack

The operator of an outdoor pursuit centre fears having to “start again from scratch” following a devastating arson attack.

One of Dolben Hall’s two log cabins was destroyed by the blaze, with the second sustaining smoke and fire damage.

Staff at the 25-acre centre, run by Open Door Adventure at Bont Newydd near St Asaph, have now been left to count the cost of repairs, estimated to be more than £10,000.

Dave Orange, who runs the facility, said: “We’ve had a few break-ins over the years but to find out, just before Easter, that it had been burnt to the ground is really demoralising.

“The police have been involved and found fingerprints, but whether they can catch the perpetrators I don’t know.

“I have to start from scratch again, it took me a year, so ideally I need all the help I can get.

“It took me a year to build it, but we’re back to square one again.”

The venue, which offers activities including watersports, paintballing, quadbiking and rock climbing, is popular with young people including Scouts.

Mr Orange added: “The Denbigh and Flint Scouts were booked in for the May Bank Holiday to do activities and now they won’t be able to use the cabins.”

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “Evidence suggests this was a deliberate arson attack and has caused considerable disruption to the activities run by staff at the centre and significant financial loss.

“We are appealing for any witnesses or information to identify the suspects.

“Contact can be made via our Force Control Room on x 101, Crimestoppers, to any officer at Denbigh Police Station and the Reporting Officer Pc 1454 Hooper quoting crime reference number RC17052657.”

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